Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c74.s2.56

v2.c74.s2.56

The Matsya also corroborates this procedure of self-purification of an image-maker. The Aparājita-pracchā, however, goes further and has very brilliantly brought out the philosophical or metaphysical implication of the concrete image being nothing but a symbol of the Abstract Absolute. The sculptor has to meditate upon the deity whose icon he has to carve out, with the mantras as hinted at in the text [P. L. pp. 9-10 (iii) अ० पृ० ]; the image-maker has not only to make his various instruments fit for the job, but also with the Japa-mantras, he has to bring in, the power of the deity in question, into his or her icon.